Garwe fires acting Town Council Acting Secretary

Gokwe Town Council Acting Secretary Sacked Amid Corruption and Service Delivery Concerns
Following persistent reports of crumbling service delivery, abuse of public funds, and allegations of corruption, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has ordered Gokwe Town Council's Acting Town Secretary, Engineer Melsen Masukume, to vacate his post with immediate effect.

In a letter dated November 20, 2025, addressed to the Council Chairperson Councillor Licious Mutegwe, Minister Daniel Garwe cited "serious concerns regarding maladministration and poor governance" during Masukume's tenure. The minister noted that repeated efforts to address these issues, including directives to protect public funds and improve service delivery, had largely failed, resulting in high costs and deteriorating services for residents.

Minister Garwe directed the council to appoint an interim replacement from among the substantive Heads of Department familiar with public administration until a permanent appointment is made.

Gokwe Town Council has been under public scrutiny following repeated controversies over the handling of municipal vehicles and internal accountability. Residents have raised concerns over incidents involving a Chevrolet and a Toyota Hilux, both of which were damaged under questionable circumstances. In early 2024, a Chevrolet vehicle was involved in an accident in Bulawayo, and a year later, its whereabouts remained unknown, fueling suspicions of mismanagement. Similarly, no Board of Inquiry was convened for a separate incident involving the Toyota Hilux, and results from council discussions about the vehicles were never shared.

Residents have alleged that Masukume awarded a repair tender for the Chevrolet to a Bulawayo-based panel beater, bypassing the Procurement Management Unit, in violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. This, they argue, points to decisions motivated by personal gain rather than public interest.

Critics also highlighted inconsistencies in how the council has handled disciplinary matters. For instance, former internal auditor Manasseh Mhlolo faced dismissal over a minor cost of US$80, leading to over US$15,000 spent on a disciplinary hearing committee drawn from distant councils. Similarly, the hearing for Administrator Luwis Taruvinga reportedly involved panelists from Chitungwiza and Zvishavane, costing thousands of dollars and diverting funds from essential services.

Residents said the council's financial mismanagement, combined with persistent failures in service delivery, has caused widespread frustration. The damaged Chevrolet remains in storage without repairs, while a tipper sent for service in Bulawayo last year has not been fixed, further straining the council's finances.

Local residents, speaking anonymously for fear of victimisation, welcomed Minister Garwe's intervention, saying Masukume had been at the centre of corruption and administrative decay in Gokwe. "Service delivery here is painfully poor, and the local authority has been engulfed in scandalous activities, including abuse of office and corruption," one resident said.

Despite a Ministry investigation last year recommending measures to curb graft, observers note that little has changed, leaving residents demanding urgent reforms, transparency, and accountability from the council. The removal of Masukume marks a critical step, but the community remains keenly watching to see whether the council can restore public trust and ensure effective governance.